Good News: “The Jays” of Celtics always win.

The Boston Celtics narrowly escaped what could have been a disastrous loss against the Indiana Pacers, emerging with a win despite nearly blowing a double-digit lead in the third quarter.

The game saw dramatic swings, with the Celtics’ advantage shrinking to just one point after Tyrese Haliburton hit a three-pointer following a celebratory robot dance. Although Jrue Holiday momentarily stemmed the tide with a big three-pointer, Haliburton’s shot reignited the Pacers’ hopes.

The fourth quarter was a nail-biting, back-and-forth affair that seemed to favor the Pacers. Andrew Nembhard extended their lead to five points with a deep two-pointer under two minutes to play. Yet, the Celtics’ star trio—Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday—rose to the occasion.

Jrue Holiday started the comeback by reducing the deficit to three with a layup, set up by Derrick White. Haliburton’s rare miss on a pull-up shot then gave Jaylen Brown an opportunity, which he capitalized on by sinking two clutch free throws after being fouled by Pascal Siakam, making it a one-point game. Nembhard responded with another tough basket, but a critical turnover forced by Jaylen Brown and a well-executed play by coach Joe Mazzulla resulted in a tie game.

Jayson Tatum’s defensive prowess shone as he smartly helped off Myles Turner to block Haliburton’s path, preserving the tie. In overtime, Tatum took over offensively, scoring ten points in the final 2:30 minutes, showcasing his versatility with free throws, contact finishes, and a decisive three-pointer that sealed the win.

Despite the victory, the Celtics recognized the need for improvement. Jaylen Brown, embodying the team’s emotional leadership, emphasized in post-game comments that the performance wasn’t up to their standards. His insistence on higher expectations reflects a positive development in the team’s mentality.

This hard-fought win, though far from perfect, demonstrated the Celtics’ resilience and capacity to perform under pressure, a trait essential for championship aspirations. It also marked a potential turning point for a team that has struggled to close out games in the past. Whether this win signifies a genuine progression or a stroke of luck remains to be seen, but for now, the Celtics can celebrate a hard-earned triumph.